Nut for guitars and similar instruments



- Nov. 27 1923 1,475,345

T. B. LAMBERT ET AL NUT FOR GUITARS AND SIMILAR INSTRUMENTS Filed May 13. 1922 7770/7705 SLQmbe/"f La w/"encefLive/y CTN cu long Patented Nov. 27, 1923.

UNITED'STATES PATENT orrice.

THOMAS B. LAMBERT AND LAIUBENCE E. LI'VELY, OF SIPGKANE, WASHINGTON.

NUT FOR GUITARS AND SIMILAR INSTRUIMENTS.

Application filed May 13,

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, THOMAS B. LAM- BERT and LAWRENCE E. LIVELY, citizens of the United States, residing at Spokane, in

Spokane County and State of Washington,

have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Nuts for Guitars and Similar Instruments, of which the following is a specification. ur present invention relates to improvements in nut for guitar and similar instruments or devices for use in connection with string musical instruments, especially guitars, for simultaneously shortening all the strings of the instrument for the purpose of changing the pitch of the instrument. The device is especially adapted for use while playing music of the Hawaiian type, and because of its simplicity in construction and operation, may be employed when necessary with facility and convenience. The device is designed for use under normal conditions as one of the customary frets of the guitar, and is readily adapted for conversion as a fretted bridge for the strings of the instrument when a change in the tone of the instrument is desirable.

With convenience and dispatch the device may be brought into use by the musician, and the results of its use attained in an artistic manner without loss of time or interference with the playing movements of the musician.

The invention consists in certain novel combinations and arrangements of'parts as will be hereinafter more fully described and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings we have illustrated one complete example of the physical embodiments of our invention wherein the parts are combined and arranged according to the best mode we have thus far devised for the practical application of the principles of our invention.

Figure 1 is a side view showing a portion of the neck of a guitar and its peg box, and illustrating the device of the invention in normal position beneath the strings of the instrument.

Figure 2 is a face view of the device of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is an end view of the device of the invention, showing in full lines the keylever ready for use, and in dotted lines showing the position of the key lever when 1522. Serial No. 586,573.

the device is turned to a capo tasto.

Figure 4 is a top view of the device of the invention, at one end thereof. 7

Figure 5 is a perspective View of the device of the invention.

Figure 6 is a transverse sectional view of the tone changing device.

In order that the utility of the device may be understood a sufficient portion of a guitar has been illustrated to show the relation of parts. The peg box 1 and pegs 2, may be of usual or suitable construction,,the former being formed as an extension of the neck 4, and the usual or customary frets 5 are indicated in Figures 1 and 2.

The capo tasto device 6 is a bar of wood, or other suitable material, located transversely of the neck t of the guitar, and of sufficient length to accommodate the six strings of the guitar. Under normal conditions the bar 6 forms one of the frets of the instrument and is fashioned with a series of spaced grooves 7 extending around its exterior across the flat face 8 and a rounded face 9, the latter, as best seen in Figure 6, being spaced farther from the axis of the bar than the former. In normal position the flat face 8 forms the upper surface of the fret, while the rounded face 9, when utilized, elevates the strings indicated in dotted lines Figure 1.

A central longitudinal bar or rod 10 is extended through the bar 6, with its projecting ends forming trunnions for the bar, and these trunnions are supported from a metal plate 11 which is provided vwith slotted ears or hearing flanges 12. As shown these bearing flanges project perpendicularly from the plate, which lies flat upon the neck of the guitar, and the trunnions are journaled in the slotted bearing flanges in order that the bar may be turned on its rod or shaft, a collar 13 being provided at each end of the shaft to retain the trunnions in their hearing flanges.

One of the trunnions, at its end is fashioned with a pocket 14 extending longitudinally of the rod in which a key-lever 15 is stored when not in use, a head or handle 16 being fashioned on the lever for convenience in use, as well as for ornamentation. The key lever is designed for use in turning the bar 6 on its trunnions, and the bar is fashioned with a pair of anguposition for use as hozu the l l: in liar. and adapted to receive the end of the hey-lever.

In Figures 1 and 2 the device is in position for use with the guitar under normal conditions, the her being used with its flat iace 8 upgermostas e fret, and the key aver 15 stored. within its pocket in the 1ft of the bar 6. .Vhen it is desired to mmense the tension of the srings 3 for hanging; the pitch of all the strings, the E. v lever may with facility he \Vl.l'l1il2LWI1 from its pocket and i: serted in the proper socket. and the lever given a turn tl rough an arc ot ninetv degrees. turning the he! 6. the, face 8 turned from. supporting the strings, and the rounded tace is turned. upwardly. The strings are retained in their rspective grooves of the her (i and as the bar is turned they are elevated from the adjacent trots, as indicated iii dotted lines Figure 1, thus presenting; the strings in position :tor the required manipulation or lingering. ill the bar has been. turneu as desired, the he lever is ot' course removed and stored in its pocket until again required. When so required the key lever is Withdrawn from its pocket and again inserted in a socket and the bar turned if-cl; on. its trunnions in the hearvi l'llLllgQS to its original nornuil position, and the key lever of course removed.

The her is held in its adjusted position by the tension of the strings, in both its normal position and in its converted. posilion but u xy he moved or turned by uti- 1' tion .he he lever. "with facility. by manipulating the lever as Figure Having: thus fully described our invention, iviiat We claim as secure by Letters Patent is A. pitch changing device for use on the neck oi a guitar or like instrument cornprising a h r ileshionod with exterior grooves for strings and il ornied with. a flat face and an enlarged rounded surface, a journal support tor said bar, trunnions on the her jou naled in said. said trunnions tendingpocket having longitudinally e3;- tor a key and said bar hav ing later ii ending: sockets adapted to receive u as described.

In testimony whereof We aliix our signatures.

THOMAS B. AMBERT. LZUVRENCE E. LIVELY.

indicated. in

support. one of: 

